USA Today

ATLANTA — Just when it looked like No. 3 Colquitt County was finally under real duress, coach Rush Propst flicked on the intensity afterburners and inspired a huge second-half outburst as the Packers pulled away from a game Mill Creek team, 52-31. The victory earned Colquitt County a chance to repeat as Class AAAAAA champion and keeps alive the team’s outside shot at a national title in the process.

Propst stole the game’s headlines when he headbutted Packers place kicker Luis Martinez during a tight first half, opening a major bloody gash on the coach’s forehead. He coached on, and his pleas for more intensity from his team apparently drove their desired effect, with Colquitt transforming a 21-14 lead into the eventual 52-31 victory with a series of explosive offensive plays.

“The coaches made it real simple all week for us,” Colquitt County quarterback Chase Parrish told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The O-line gave me time, and our receivers got open and made plays.”

Colquitt opened the second half with a touchdown on a 47-yard run, weathered a Mill Creek score in response (which cut the lead to 35-31) and answered with a 78-yard touchdown reception. From there, the Packers defense stiffened as Colquitt’s offense continued to churn, adding two touchdowns and a field goal while shutting out Mill Creek no matter what the Hawks tried to do.

While Propst’s antics gained the majority of the headlines, it overshadowed one of the season’s best highlights, as turned in by Packers wide receiver Kiel Pollard. The Arkansas commit pulled in an acrobatic juggling catch as he fell to the turf, helping Colquitt get out in front in the first half. You can see his grab below. The senior wide out finished with six total catches for 128 yds and two touchdowns in the victory.

Just how impressive was the 52-point offensive output by Pollard and his teammates? Consider this: Before allowing Grayson’s offensive explosion on Friday, Mill Creek had allowed just 88 points all season.

Now the Packers will bring that offense to the Georgia Dome, where they will face off against No. 21 Roswell, which heads to the state final coming off a remarkable final minute victory against No. 13 Grayson.